Current MEB questions / Rating question

S

Strangert

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PEB Forum Veteran
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My VA reports finally made it back. Was seen Nov 23rd by QTC. I have a couple of questions. I want the process to go as quick as possible from here on out.

1. Does the NARSUM really even matter at this point? I’m active duty with over 20 years.

2. I have cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 39% and the evaluator marked the report as 1-3 METs. So from my understanding that should be 100% by itself. So I don’t have to worry about the VA math to get to 100% right? I have 26 other claims on top of just this one.

3. I heard somebody mention there’s extra pay if you have any ratings that are 100%, is that true?

Thank you for all the great advice and knowledge from this board!
 

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Hello,

Regarding one issue: "3. I heard somebody mention there’s extra pay if you have any ratings that are 100%, is that true?"

If a veteran has one disability rated at 100% and other disabilities rated for a total of 60% or more, he/she would be entitled to SMC-S. This SMC replaces the 100% withl a higher rate. I have received it for several years.

That SMC also applies to being considered "housebound."
Ron
 
RonG said:
Hello,

Regarding one issue: "3. I heard somebody mention there’s extra pay if you have any ratings that are 100%, is that true?"

If a veteran has one disability rated at 100% and other disabilities rated for a total of 60% or more, he/she would be entitled to SMC-S. This SMC replaces the 100% withl a higher rate. I have received it for several years.

That SMC also applies to being considered "housebound."
Ron
Click to expand...
So statements 1 & 2 are accurate?

I know I have 26 other claimed items to include migraines (2-3 a week) receive Botox, manieres disease, my psych evaluation was rated at 50%. Do you think I’ll be P&T and not allowed to work?
 
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Strangert said:
So statements 1 & 2 are accurate?

I know I have 26 other claimed items to include migraines (2-3 a week) receive Botox, manieres disease, my psych evaluation was rated at 50%. Do you think I’ll be P&T and not allowed to work?
Click to expand...
Re: "So statements 1 & 2 are accurate?"

i am surprised you inferred that.

I did not answer those questions as I do not know. Someone else will have to field those issues.

Sorry for the confusion...

Ron
 
RonG said:
Re: "So statements 1 & 2 are accurate?"

i am surprised you inferred that.

I did not answer those questions as I do not know. Someone else will have to field those issues.

Sorry for the confusion...

Ron
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Thank you! You think I will be marked unemployable?
 
I have no idea. I provided the SMC-S info since I receive it.

I am a finance guy (i.e., retired pay CRSC & CRDP). I did not receive a disability retirement and have never worked for the VA.

Good luck,
Ron
 
The NARSUM means little.

1-3 METS is 100%, but generally the VA will re-rate you after 6 months for any rating based on METS. Ask your MSC is that rating is permanent.

You will likely be eligible for SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) S.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
The NARSUM means little.

1-3 METS is 100%, but generally the VA will re-rate you after 6 months for any rating based on METS. Ask your MSC is that rating is permanent.

You will likely be eligible for SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) S.
Click to expand...
Do you think I’ll be able to work still or will I have to get on social security?
 
You should apply for SSDI immediately. In the remarks section you should note that you are a wounded warrior and requesting expedited processing. You can apply online through the SS Administration. The sooner your submit your application, the sooner the 5 month clock starts. No one can receive SSDI until 5 months has elapsed.

Given your ejection fraction, working that is sedentary might be possible. But someone who has all your health info ought to be telling you about your limfacts .
 
chaplaincharlie said:
You should apply for SSDI immediately. In the remarks section you should note that you are a wounded warrior and requesting expedited processing. You can apply online through the SS Administration. The sooner your submit your application, the sooner the 5 month clock starts. No one can receive SSDI until 5 months has elapsed.

Given your ejection fraction, working that is sedentary might be possible. But someone who has all your health info ought to be telling you about your limfacts .
Click to expand...
I want to work instead of collecting SSDI though. That’s the part I’m having an issue with.
 
EF and METS may improve as your meds are adjusted. Even if approved for SSDI, you can decline benefits and return to work.
 
RonG said:
I have no idea. I provided the SMC-S info since I receive it.

I am a finance guy (i.e., retired pay CRSC & CRDP). I did not receive a disability retirement and have never worked for the VA.

Good luck,
Ron
Click to expand...
Do you have to apply for it or is it automatic?
 
Strangert said:
Do you have to apply for it or is it automatic?
Click to expand...
I did not apply. When I was rated (again) @ 100% for prostate cancer, I suspect the rater also saw that I had 60% or more in other service connected disabilities and awarded the SMC-S.

I know several other veterans on another board who have SMC-S and none of them specifically applied for it.

The Combined Ratings Table is used to determine the value/total of the other disabilities that are other than the one 100% rating required.
VA.gov | Veterans Affairs <---LINK

Ron
 
RonG said:
I did not apply. When I was rated (again) @ 100% for prostate cancer, I suspect the rater also saw that I had 60% or more in other service connected disabilities and awarded the SMC-S.

I know several other veterans on another board who have SMC-S and none of them specifically applied for it.

The Combined Ratings Table is used to determine the value/total of the other disabilities that are other than the one 100% rating required.
VA.gov | Veterans Affairs <---LINK

Ron
Click to expand...
Copy, I don’t show any ratings in ebenefits. I called the VA yesterday and they said I was rated at 100% but he couldn’t tell me if it was P&T and he wouldn’t give me any other information. Maybe because I’m still in the MEB process.
 
Strangert said:
Copy, I don’t show any ratings in ebenefits. I called the VA yesterday and they said I was rated at 100% but he couldn’t tell me if it was P&T and he wouldn’t give me any other information. Maybe because I’m still in the MEB process.
Click to expand...
Good luck....

Ron
 
SMC S will likely be automatic given you are 100% for your heart and probably 100 more.
 
So I signed my package today and it’s going up and should be back next week. My PEBLO stated that my heart may come back Not P&T because it’s still fluctuating. I took an echo last week and my EF got a little worse. She said I could fight the temporary rating if that’s how it comes back but it means me staying in the Air Force for an additional month. Should I try and fight that?
 
Strangert said:
So I signed my package today and it’s going up and should be back next week. My PEBLO stated that my heart may come back Not P&T because it’s still fluctuating. I took an echo last week and my EF got a little worse. She said I could fight the temporary rating if that’s how it comes back but it means me staying in the Air Force for an additional month. Should I try and fight that?
Click to expand...
I would fight it but only if I thought I could win or if I was okay staying in longer if I had little chance to win. Do you have a specialist that would be willing to write a letter stating that your condition is stable and unlikely to change? If yes then you may be able to challenge it with FPEB. If not, your chances aren't great but you do get the benefit of more time in the military with benefits like housing stipend etc.
 
Provis said:
I would fight it but only if I thought I could win or if I was okay staying in longer if I had little chance to win. Do you have a specialist that would be willing to write a letter stating that your condition is stable and unlikely to change? If yes then you may be able to challenge it with FPEB. If not, your chances aren't great but you do get the benefit of more time in the military with benefits like housing stipend etc.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your feedback. I wrote a letter to my cardiologist to see if he would write the letter.
 
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